Over a seven-game playoff series, each becomes more important than the last. Today features two teams that can’t afford to lose.
At 3:30 Eastern, the Bulls try to take a 3-1 stranglehold against Cleveland. At 8:30 it’s the Clippers in the same situation — at home, with Houston desperate for a road victory to square the series.
This postseason has been about injuries and surprises. I’m still trying to figure out how the Wizards won last night without John Wall, though Paul Millsap having the flu seemed to wake up Nene Hilario. The Grizzlies are in a groove and the Warriors missed 20 of 26 3-point attempts.
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LeBron James $11300 needed just a bit more help on Friday. His near triple-double (27 PTS, 14 AST, 8 REB) came to 60.5 FPTS. Once again, he will be in attack mode. Expect more of the same from Tristan Thompson $5000, who double-doubled. J.R, Smith $4900 hit four triples but his return from a 2-game suspension made Iman Shumpert $4400 less of a fantasy factor. The key is Kyrie Irving $8400 (foot). No match for Derrick Rose $8100 in Game Three, Kyrie admitted aggravating a foot strain that has bothered him for over two weeks. If treatment has helped and he’s more effective, the Cavs will regain home-court advantage. If not, Matthew Dellavedova $2500 might have to play more.
Pau Gasol $8200 (hamstring) is questionable and Joakim Noah $5700 is not playing well. Taj Gibson $4100 is often an excellent daily play in these circumstances, but he’s hampered by a shoulder injury. It’s all pointing to Nikola Mirotic $3300 improving on his 12-point, 8-rebound effort in 22 minutes. Mike Dunleavy $5100 is affordable and Jimmy Butler $8300 contributes in every category. Rose dominating again (30 PTS, 7 AST, 7 REB, 1 STL, 1 BLK) is a logical prediction. In DFS we don’t care which team wins; this will be close and relatively low-scoring.
Chris Paul $9200 (hamstring) was needed for only 23 minutes on Friday because Austin Rivers $4700 had the game of his life (25 PTS on 10-for-13 shooting) off the bench and it was a blowout. There are really only two centers on the board — Dwight Howard $8600 and DeAndre Jordan $7700 are going head-to-head. However, you can’t afford a superstar at every position, so I’m spending on Rose, LBJ and Blake Griffin $10700. This forces a “punt” at C with Timofey Mozgov $5500 and at SG with Jason Terry $3600.
Yes, I’m betting against the Rockets. James Harden $9900 and Howard are not enough. Trevor Ariza $5900, Josh Smith $5700 and Terrence Jones $4600 did very little in Game Three. J.J. Redick $5300 was scalding hot (5-6 from deep) and Jamal Crawford $5100 contributes off the bench. Use either (or both) if you are shopping in that salary range. The nightcap figures to be high-scoring — I’m toying with an alternate lineup of seven from that game and Mirotic.
| Pos | Premium | Midrange | Bargain |
| PG | Chris Paul $9200 | Derrick Rose $8100 | Austin Rivers $4700 |
| SG | James Harden $9900 | Jimmy Butler $8300 | Jason Terry $3600 |
| SF | LeBron James $11300 | Trevor Ariza $5900 | Mike Dunleavy $5100 |
| PF | Blake Griffin $10700 | T. Thompson $5000 | Nikola Mirotic $3300 |
| C | Dwight Howard $8600 | DeAndre Jordan $7700 | Timofey Mozgov $5500 |
The Fantasy Spin features DFS advice every day of the NBA season. Follow Kent Williams @SheridanFantasy for updates.